Principal of St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten, Dr Anthony Taylor (third right) and staff members accept a symbolic $1-million cheque from representatives of the Chinese community in Montego Bay: Ziping Chen (fifth left) and his daughter, Min Lin (fourth left) during a presentation at the school last Friday.
January 22, 2026
Chinese community donates $1m to hurricane-hit St Mary’s Prep
ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a powerful show of solidarity and corporate citizenship, members of the Chinese community in Montego Bay donated $1 million to St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten School to assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The donation forms part of a wider islandwide humanitarian drive by the Chinese community, which has been providing financial assistance, supplies and other forms of support to schools, organisations and vulnerable groups across St James and western Jamaica in the aftermath of the storm.
St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten located in Montpelier, St James, was among the educational institutions hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa, which caused extensive structural damage to the school plant, destroying classrooms, teaching materials and essential equipment. The school also suffered additional losses from looting in the days following the hurricane, further compounding its challenges.
The $1-million contribution will be used for critical restoration works, including repairs to damaged buildings, replacement of learning resources, and the re-establishment of a safe and supportive environment for students.
Speaking on behalf of the school community, Principal Dr Anthony Taylor expressed heartfelt appreciation for the timely intervention.
“This generous contribution has come at a moment when our school and our families needed hope the most,” Dr Taylor said in a release from St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten School.
“The Chinese community has shown that recovery is not only about rebuilding structures, but also about restoring dignity, opportunity and the future of our children,” he added.
He also outlined how the funds will be used to ensure accountability and maximum impact, and pledged that the school would maintain full transparency in the execution of the rebuilding programme.
Ziping Chen, who represented the Chinese community, said the contribution was a testament to the organisation’s commitment to giving back to the community in which it operates.
“The Chinese community is committed to serving, rebuilding, and supporting Jamaica with love, dignity, and resilience,” Chen said.
Dr Taylor further thanked Javin Baker, councillor for the Cambridge Division, for his continued support throughout the recovery process, and urged other corporate and civic entities to come on board to assist with the rebuilding effort.
The Chinese community in Montego Bay has long been recognised for its involvement in national development and disaster response.
Its hurricane relief efforts have included cash donations, building materials, food and other essential supplies to schools, community groups and charitable organisations across St James and beyond.
Community leaders have hailed the latest donation as a shining example of unity and shared responsibility.
As St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten continues its journey toward full recovery, the donation is being hailed as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of goodwill, partnership and community spirit.
